Oxirane resins for enzyme immobilization

Abstract

Carriers for immobilizing enzymes may be prepared by suspension copolymerizing an oxirane-group-bearing, monovinyl monomer and a major amount of a trivinyl crosslinking monomer having a hydrophilic character, in the presence of a phase separator which does not react with the oxirane group. The resulting carriers, in bead form, have high porosity, high surface area, and pores of diameter sufficient for ready penetration by enzymes and substrates.

We claim: 
     
       1. A process for preparing an improved porous carrier bead for immobilized enzymes which process consists essentially of free-radical, suspension polymerizing an oxirane-group-bearing monovinyl monomer selected from the group consisting of glycidyl acrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, allyl glycidyl ether, and mixtures thereof, and a trivinyl crosslinking monomer having hydrophilic character, the ratio of monovinyl monomer to trivinyl monomer being from about 5:95 to about 50:50 by weight, in the presence of about 20% to about 90%, based on the weight of the organic phase, of a phase separator which does not react with the oxirane group, in an aqueous suspension medium. 
     
     
       2. The process of claim 1 wherein the ratio of monovinyl monomer to trivinyl monomer is from about 10:90 to about 30:70. 
     
     
       3. The process of claim 1 wherein the crosslinking monomer is selected from the group consisting of trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, triallyl isocyanurate, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       4. The process of claim 1 wherein the phase separator is a hydrocarbon phase separator. 
     
     
       5. The process of claim 4 wherein the hydrocarbon phase separator is toluene. 
     
     
       6. The oxirane-group-bearing carrier for immobilized enzymes prepared by the process of claim 1.